Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. I honestly had trouble trying to figure out which way to take this next chapter. I came up with this and I know some of you may think this is filler but it has a purpose. Still i hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 26: Second Task

Don breathed heavily as he threw a punch forward, Shredder in front of him catching the punches of his pupil. This is a simple exercise they had just started, mainly to see how much strength the turtle was putting into his strikes. Unfortunately Oroku frowned as he wasn't getting the usual strength from his student, and yet he knew the reason why, heck everyone in the building knew.

"Junko," he spoke out after catching another punch, freezing his student in place as his hush breathing the only thing heard. "You're holding back, you can hit a lot stronger than this."

Both of the black clad turtle's eyes closed as his head tilted down, feeling a bit of shame. "I'm sorry sensei…it's just…I can't concentrate."

"Junko I told you before, your actions were warranted and justified. You had every right to kill them, they would have done that to you if they had gotten the chance."

The turtle's body shook as he turned and paced around the room, "But…it didn't feel right…I don't know why but…but…"

"But what?" Oroku asked in a calm voice, he already knew what was on his mind but had to play the oblivious card.

"I don't know why…but my mind must have been playing tricks on me because…every time I looked at those three…I keep seeing someone else," he stopped in place, looking down at the floor.

"Who?" Oroku asked with concern.

"Just…I don't want to talk about it," Don shuddered, in truth he wasn't sure if he should be talking about it. The incident from yesterday still fresh on his mind, the shock of actually kill his tortures like that still stunned him. After the revelation of what he did logic would tell him to most likely to run and get far away from the scene as possible but yet he remained where he was. He wasn't sure how long he stood there but soon someone came by and saw the scene, and later more people came started flooding the place.

Of course many questions were thrown his way, but it was like his whole body shut down as he did nothing, not even move from the spot where he sat. The ones who came must have given up on questioning him since he was left alone for a bit as the rest of the situation was assessed. Eventually one of the employees helped him up to his feet and announced that Shredder wanted to see him. Just that one statement jumpstarted his whole system.

Flashback

"What happened!?" Oroku asked his pupil in a need to know tone. Standing behind his desk within his office. Not too long ago he had been alerted to the situation that had occurred in the dojo and requested that his student be brought to answer some questions.

The olive green turtle sat on his knees before his mentor, head bowed in shame for what he had done. He knew that his sensei would be very angry and disappointed at him for killing his own ninjas. And knew that this wasn't going to be a good encounter. The only thing he could do is sit there in silence and wait for a possible punishment to be inflicted.

"Well, what happened in the dojo!?" Oroku asked once more.

Don's face cringed as the same tone was used, causing his whole frame to shake. Obviously silence wasn't going to work at the moment. "I'm…I'm so sorry sensei…" he then bowed further until he is on his hands and knees, eyes locked with the ground. "They…I killed them…"

Shredder kept a neutral expression upon his face, yes this is what he wanted to hear and smirked at the words. Unfortunately Don couldn't see this with his head bowed, still Oroku spoke in a surprised tone. "Why?"

"Because…they…they…" Don's hands clenched into fists as they slowly started to shake. The memories from earlier coming back as his brutal attacks on them. "They were my tormenters…and they wanted me back so they could continue…I didn't want that to happen and…anger took over me. I just reacted and once I came to realization…they were dead."

"Wait…you mean the three from before, as in the ones that didn't follow my orders and instead inflicted torment on you?" Oroku asked, once again putting on an innocent expression as he was now acting stunned.

"Y-Yes," Don nodded, still not moving from where he was. He didn't get it, shouldn't he be reprimanded right now for his miss-deed? Why wasn't his mentor furious with what he had done after just admitting it. Footsteps then could be heard as the turtle knew that Shredder is coming close towards him. Well this is it, time to prepare for whatever it is he has in store for him. But then something unexpected happened, and hand had been placed on his shoulder, causing him to jump and look up in surprise.

"Rise Junko, you did good," Oroku spoke in a understanding tone.

Both eyes widen in surprise, how could he have done good? "But…but…sensei how could I…" he trailed off, still not rising as his mind raced with what he heard.

"You had every right to do what it is you do, from the way you told me it sounded like they wish to do harm towards you. You had every right to defend yourself the way you did, and killing them was just since there was no way to change their minds."

At last the turtle finally got back to his feet, still shocked at what he's hearing. He is basically being told that killing was the right thing to do and there was nothing negative that's going to come towards him because of it. No there has to be an angle, "But…they were your men and…and…I killed them. Are you telling me that this was fine with you?!"

"Oh, I see you didn't know," Shredder faked a surprised tone as he walked back to his desk.

"Wait…know what?" both of his eyes widen at hearing that, what could he have not heard? He always has an ear out for anything useful towards his staying here.

"Those three you had killed…they went rouge after I brought you here. They argued with not being able to continue the job they loved and vowed to get you back," he turned to face Don, a serious expression now plastered on his face. "They went as far as injuring my own me to try and get to you. It rose to the point where I issued out that they should be taken out by any means."

Don's body relaxed as he heard this, not believing what he just heard, "So…you mean these guys…were being hunted down?"

"Yes," Oroku nodded. "And you did right by killing them, they were a thorn in my side and now I no longer have to worry about them."

"But…it…" He tried to explain the feelings he was having but he couldn't really. It wasn't the fact that he killed the three that is on his mind it's that when he looked at those three their images were replaced to reflect that of his brothers. The way he fought them and the fact that in his mind he killed his brother, which in reality he didn't. But still it was like that in his mind and he couldn't shake it.

"It was either you or them Junko…and I'm glad it was them," Oroku sat back down in his chair, almost making it look like the discussion was over, but that still didn't comfort the turtle in front of him. "You did nothing wrong, you instead did something good. Do not worry anymore about it."

That's all he said, this was like a basic dismissial kind of remark. Don wasn't sure what to do, he had a lot he wanted to say about the matter but yet he couldn't bring himself to come out and say it. So instead he held his tongue and just walked off.

End Flashback

Which led to now, it was time for another training session and the black clad turtle's mind wasn't into his training. There was still a lot of things he wanted to question but it was like something was holding him back.

Just then a hand touched his shoulder as he looked up into the neutral face of Shredder. "Junko remember that you can always tell me anything you want. I'm always here to listen to you."

"I…" he began but sighed. "There's just a lot on my mind…which I really need to sort out first."

There it was again, him avoiding saying anything about his problems for some reason. He's glad that Shredder would like to hear about his problems, but what good is that if he wouldn't willingly say what's on his mind?

"Very well, I will not pry any further," he nodded, which was truth. Oroku knew sooner or later his pupil would come forth and tell him everything. But for now he will leave him be, besides there was something else he needed to discuss with him.

"Before we resume our training there's something we must discuss," he assumed his sense stance and placed both hands behind his back.

"Yes," Don nodded, pushing the new changed issue back in the recesses of his mind, and then getting down on his knees.

"I have another assignment for you," Oroku plainly said.

"Wha-another one?" both of Don's eyes widen as he heard this, really another assassination this soon? Especially after what he went through. "Uh…sensei I'm not sure-"

"You will be fine, and besides you won't be alone for this one," He announced, somewhat catching him off guard once more.

"I…what do you mean?"

"Let me explain," Oroku then started to pace around the room, which his pupil kept his eyes locked on the whole time. "A deal is going to be happening."

"With who?" Don couldn't help but ask.

"You know of the local mafia don't you?" A nod from his student confirmed this. "There is a representative from that very mafia who is going to be making a deal, giving us a generous donation for our services. But the deal is only a front so he'll show his face."

"You want me to take him out…don't you?" The turtle asked in a low tone, already knowing what the answer would be.

"Indeed…we arranged for some of my ninja to pose as rival gang members. They'll disrupt the meeting and start a fire fight, it is then you'll have the chance to take him out. But remember you can't be seen or leave any indication that the Foot is responsible."

"How will I be able to do that?" he asked, hoping to at least get that kind of information.

"You will have to be creative, but like I said you won't be alone. Some of my Foot ninja will be there to back you up if worse comes to worse. If anyone is to spot you or if the target manages to escape then the Foot ninjas will the try to capture you. Pretend to be taken captive so that way they won't suspect a thing. But I know it won't come down to that, because I knew you will do good."

"I…I know," Don nodded, knowing the details further.

"Will you accept this task, you don't have to if you don't want to," he stopped in front of the turtle, looking at him.

Don didn't answer at first, instead he looked down at the floor, and contemplating the task he had been given. "I don't know about this…I'm still shaken up from yesterday…but how can I say no to Shredder? I mean when have I ever said that? I'm not even sure if I can manage another kill at all, not after what I've been through. But still…I can't refuse, not after all Shredder has done and I can't refuse him of this. I'm just going to need to swallow my fear and do it…please forgive me for this."

Looking back up he then nodded towards his sensei, "Yes…I'll do it."

"Good Junko, I'll let my men know of your accompaniment for this task," he nodded with a smile. "I'll give you the information of your target so you know what he looks like."

"Thank you sensei," Don bowed his head.

"Now rise and let us get back to our training," he finally announced, watching his student get back to his feet and getting back into a fighting stance.

Silence filled the room of Raphael as the red clad turtle laid in his hammock, trying his best to get any kind of rest. There was nothing better to do at the moment since nothing was planned. Today Master Splinter told them it would be best if they took the next couple of days off so they could rest. Just like before it wouldn't do them good to be out of it when they needed their energy. Still it was odd after that he would suggest that even after saying he is going to join them on searches.

Still no one questioned their father's orders so they did just that. Still even though Leo and Mikey managed to occupy their time with something of their, Like Leo reading instead of training. The blue clad turtle figured he trained enough at the moment and decided to do something else he liked to do. As for the orange clad turtle he realized that he hadn't picked up one of his comics in a long while so he decided to reread his whole justice force collection, and that occupied his time.

As for the red clad turtle he wasn't as lucky, mainly because there wasn't much he could do to occupy him. Of course sleep was a major options since he always found himself tired lately, but unfortunately sleep wouldn't come. So this axed his plan, mainly because he had been laying her for an hour already.

"Can't a turtle fall asleep when he needs it?" Raph sighed as sat up and rolled out of his hammock. If he can't sleep right now then being in his room isn't a good idea. "Maybe I'll go out…visit Casey or April." Nodding he then walked over and exited his room, heading into the silent lair which they called their home. Stopping right outside his room the red clad turtle took a moment to try to hear if anyone was out.

There was silence all over as no signs of activity could be heard at all, which was a good sign. "Nice, at least no one will hassle me for going out." Smiling he then jumped down form the second story, silently making a landing with ease. Straightening himself the emerald turtle then headed for the front door.

"Going somewhere Raphael?" A familiar voice started the turtle.

"What…oh…sense," the red clad turtle turned and saw his father emerge from the shadows, both eyes locked onto him. Busted, there was no way his sensei would let him go out, especially after trying to sneak out like this.

"Do you plan on going somewhere?" Splinter asked walked closer to his son.

Raph sighed, knowing it was best to be truthful, his father would know when he's lying so what would the point be. "Yes sensei…I just can't stand being here bored out of my mind…so I was going to go out and visit Casey or April…I know that-"

"Be careful," Splinter surprisingly responded, causing shock to go through the red clad turtle.

"Uh…what sensei?' an eye rose in confusion still.

"I said be careful," he responded once more, but still there was the confusion in his son's face. He just chuckled as his head shook, "Raphael, I know things have been stressful these past days…and I know you want to go out and visit our friends…just be careful and please don't go chasing after the Foot. I know you are angry at them, but going at it alone isn't a wise idea."

"Yes sensei, I know, but it's just…we know who has them…don't you think we should at least go and get Don back?" Raph sighed as he tried to explain his reasons.

"I know it is stressful my son, but we need to know more before he storm the Foot. Just please do this old rat a favor and just don't do anything rash."

All Raph could do is sigh once more, "Yes sensei, it'll just be to Casey and April's house and I'll be back later."

"Understood," the rat nodded. He then watched as his son turn and headed out of the lair on his own. It was then a shudder went down his spine, almost as if something didn't feel right. It was like a cold chill, the same kind from way earlier nearly two years ago.

A/N: Hope you like, now things are going to get interesting in the next chapter. I'm nearing the end of this story to let you all know. I'm not sure but I want to say there are ten or less chapter are left. That's the estimate. Still I hope you all bare with me. Till next time.